Only 19% of French Workers Know Exact Salary Amount to Request
A recent survey conducted by HOW MUCH, established by Sandrine Dorbes, indicates that merely 19% of employees in France have formulated a salary request, with 11% specifying an amount in euros and 8% using a percentage. The online survey, carried out between July 24 and August 3, 2026, involved 4,128 active workers. Findings reveal that 46% ask for a raise without a specific figure, 16% have a rough estimate, and 13% are uncertain about what to request. Only 5% are aware of their job's actual cost to employers. To establish salary expectations, 67% depend on their performance, 43% review job listings, and 33% seek information online or through AI, underscoring a lack of readiness in salary discussions among French workers.
Key facts
- Only 19% of French workers have precisely calculated a salary request (11% in euros, 8% in percentage).
- 46% of French workers request a raise without a precise figure.
- Only 5% of French workers know the total employer cost of their position.
- 67% of workers base their salary request on their own results.
- 33% of French workers consult the internet or AI to determine a salary figure.
- 51% of French workers bluff in job interviews by asking for more than they expect.
- 37% of workers give up on asking for a raise because they don't know what amount to request.
- Only 7% of French workers plan to ask for a raise in the first week of September.
Entities
Artists
- Sandrine Dorbes
Institutions
- HOW MUCH
- School of Life Paris
- BuzzPress
- INSEE
Locations
- France